What makes liberalism so different to other political mainstreams?

I think that part of the answer lies in the values we subscribe to both politically and as individuals, personal or individual freedom being the foremost of them. Other political mainstreams may also believe in freedom - but they have 1) a different understanding of freedom and 2) it is of lower priority in their system of values.

Another part of the answer is that liberalism is not an ideology in the same sense as conservatism or socialism is. A lot of what liberals want to achieve has little to do with attaining some kind of utopia. Instead, liberals try to get things done that are within our reach. In the process we use our common sense and maintain a sense of proportion and realism.This is perhaps less ambitious - but a more successful approach as experience shows.

A third important point concerns the liberalism commitment to the use of reason whenever we are looking for solutions.

My Fellow Liberals,

Today is June 7, the day when we put our maiden topic up for discussion :)

The results are as follows:

Topic 2 'Political differentiation of Liberalism' wins with 10 votes in favour;

Topic 7 'Challenges faced by liberals in conservative / religious countries' is second with 4 votes (will be discussed next month - July 7); and

Topic 5 - 'Rule of Law - its effects on Development' is third with 3 votes (to be discussed from August 7).

Reminder:

1. On the 7th of every month, a topic would be thrown in for discussion. Every 25th in the same month, discussion closes and a summary of our deliberations would be framed and posted on the 30th of the same month for the benefit of all members.

2. Initial input on any topic is restricted to 100 words (plus or minus 10 words max) and all / every member is free to post / comment. Anybody can start.

3. Each member representing his / her country may contribute thoughts / ideas with data / examples please. This would help substantiate your arguments.

4. Initial input needs to be posted by within 5 days of the topic being introduced (ie) by the 12th of that / every month.

5. The floor is then open for debate / discussion across members with no word limit until the 25th of that month (ie) for 13 days. This is to encourage free flow of thought and expression.

6. It is a cycle and this system will be followed every month.

7. One member can please volunteer to summarize the entire discussion and post a brief version of about max 500 words in the form of an article and this will be posted on the 30th of that / every month. Please mark key words for easy accessibility on the net.

8. This would be the final statement that could be picked up by search engines and we can also use this statement to express ourselves to the media.

Happy blogging!

Sangeetha

June: Topics for debate / discussion

Dear Liberals,
Here are the topics proposed for debate / discussion in June:
NB: We need to choose just one by vote; the one with the most votes will be first and thw rest follow. We have until June 5 to cast our vote and the topic is open from June 7.

Topics
1. Bureaucracy and Carbon-trading.
2. Political differentiation of Liberalism.
3. Liberalism and Laws of Citizenship.
4. Prostitution - where do liberals stand?
5. Rule of Law - its effects on Development.
6. Ineffeciencies among liberals in respect to their own countries.
7. Challenges faced by liberals in conservative / religious countries.
8. Liberls - no clear image among voters (what they need to offer and to whom).

Looking forward to an intellectually stimulating discussion :)
Sangeetha

We, the people from developing countries, mostly democratic, facing similar problems, and who are basicly liberals despite our different backgrounds / levels of exposure, see in this group an unique platform - the opportunity not just to network on a global level, but also to present an anveue that will help culminate our liberal points of view.

This initiative is aimed at looking at our own inefficiencies as responsible citizens of our Countries and while shaping our liberal arguments, we seek to develop stronger ideals for a better world.